Cleveland FBI hosts community outreach event as it searches for dozens of missing children

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The Cleveland FBI brought its resources and posters of missing children Wednesday to Westown Square as it spreads awareness for Missing Children Awareness Day.

“We can’t solve cases without filling in the gaps, and that usually comes from the public,” said Supervisory Special Agent A.J. Miceli.

According to the Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s 2024 Missing Children report, the state received 16,404 reports of missing children.

While 15,834 children were safely recovered by the end of the year, hundreds more remain unaccounted for.

Among the law enforcement teams present at the event was the Cuyahoga Sheriff’s Department and Cleveland Police.

“We know how important it is to bring a loved one back home,” said Cuyahoga Sheriff Deputy Jose Torres. The officer has decades of experience on missing persons cases. “We take it kind of personal.”

Cleveland FBI’s display included a display of dozens of missing children posters, including that of Nevaeh Holton, who went missing at just 2 years old in 2012.

While officers spoke to passers by, April Hern, a local grandmother, felt the list of names was a little too long.

“This may sound harsh,” she said, “I would like all of them to be found, but I don’t think so.”

But Cleveland’s track record proves agents won’t give up any time soon. Torres, for one, was remembers the infamous day when Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight were found alive 10 years after their disappearance.

“The truth came to fruition, we were able to locate all three of them safely,” the deputy said. “I will never forget that.”

Agent Miceli is asking anyone with information to come forward: “Just one tip. If we can have one tip to come in and assist on any of these investigations, that’s what we’re looking for.”

While the national Missing Children Awareness Day is May 25th, the Cleveland FBI chose to organize its community booth on Wednesday to avoid the Memorial Day weekend.

Staff also looked “to help the public understand that every day, children either go missing and remain missing,” according to a Cleveland FBI press release.

If you have any information on a missing child, you can contact the Cleveland FBI anonymously.